Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008 - (Page 53)

2008 RALLY GUIDE #46 Driver: Matt Johnson Co-Driver: Jeremy Whimpey TWOTIME PRODUCTION GT national champions Matt Johnson and Jeremy Wimpey are moving to Open Class for the 2008 Championship. “I'll be driving a 2007 STI built and serviced by RalliSpec,” Johnson said. (www.rallispec.com ) Moving into the Open Class might seem like suicide. To repeat their championship there, Johnson and Wimpey will have to defeat Subaru Rally Team USA, Andrew Pinker, Tanner Foust, Kyle Sarasin, and several other top contenders. But Johnson’s not the type to rest on his laurels and pick the easy road. “My hopes are to compete with the front of the field, but I'm realistic at the same time. Being my first year in Open Class and running with a new team, it's going to take a little ramp-up time. I'm confident that the amount of time I spent in development in 2WD cars, then racing in PGT for three seasons should pay off as I make the leap. If I’m on the podium once or twice this season and consistently in the top six, I'd call that a success,” he said. Rallispec has worked with Rally America stars Matt Iorio and Patrick Moro in the past, and with Johnson and Wimpey on board, this may be their big year. “I'm looking forward to working with Dave Anton at RalliSpec. He really knows his stuff and has been a great supporter often behind the scenes while I was in the PGT car,” Johnson said. Anyone who meets Johnson becomes a fan. The soft-spoken driver from North Carolina is quick to spread around the glory for his accomplishments. “I'm super grateful to all the friends around the country who have helped me get as far as I have. Some of them are my sponsors, some have nothing to do with rallying and some of them are my competitors, but without you guys I'd be sitting at home dreaming still,” he said. Johnson will continue to carry the flag for Hankook tires. “Hankook makes an awesome product, and we are growing our relationship again after strong measurable results. Think of it as the RalliSpec Rally Team presented by Hankook,” Johnson said. Subiesport asked Johnson if he could reveal any special technology going into the new Open car. What we got back, if true, will revolutionize the sport. “I've been working with NASA to deploy some of their jet stabilization technology. We'll have some small jets hidden in the rear corners, which will help keep the back end off banks. I keep telling them Rally people are pretty clever and will figure out what we're up to when my bumper keeps melting off, but what do I know? I'm just the driver,” he said. We’ll keep an eye out for any suspicious-looking nozzles. http://www.carolinars.com SUBIESPORT MAGAZINE 53 http://www.rallispec.com http://www.carolinars.com http://www.jscspeed.com http://www.jscspeed.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008

Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008 Contents Travis Geny Letters Readers' Rides Subaru News Wicked in White Pink Rules Harman Motive Nouveau Tuning the 2008 STI 2008 Rally Guide Alcan 5000 Rally Alcan Unleashed WRC Rally Monte Carlo WRC Rally Sweden WRC Rally Mexico 100 Acre Wood Kumakubo! D1 Drifting Where to Buy Subiesport 2008 Impreza WRX 2007 Legacy GT 1993 Impreza Wagon Fueled Up Ad Directory Spotted!

Subiesport Magazine - April/May 2008

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